Nursing supply and demand: Reviewing the evidence

Abstract

This paper reviews research on the supply of, and demand for, nurses. It examines the utility of various data indicators of nursing 'shortages' and highlights potential shortcomings in their application. The paper also assesses the linkages between nurses' pay and nurses' labour market behaviour, reviewing the comparatively few papers which have taken a UK perspective on this issue. The current situation of a mismatch between nurses' supply and demand in the UK is also examined, with the clear indication that there is the potential for an increase in mismatch as demand increases, while future supply appears problematic. Finally, the paper reviews the main recommendations from previous national studies on nursing shortages in the UK, and concludes that many lessons from these studies have been ignored, as a cycle of nursing shortages has continued to be apparent in the UK.